Home Page | Rotary Club of Galveston

It's almost Chili Supper Time! Please join us at the 48th Rotary Club of Galveston Chili Supper on January 28, 2026 from 5pm to 8pm at the NEW Ball High School North at 4115 Ave O.

Tickets are $15 each which includes a bowl of chili (with fixings), a drink, and one dessert. You can take your chili to go or enjoy onside for unlimited refills. Tickets can be bought at the door, but if you would like to purchase tickets beforehand, please email rotaryclubofgalveston@gmail.com.

Here is a video of the magic that is used to make this delicious chili!

Thank you to for being the media sponsor for our event and creating this wonderful video.

GINTC receives Rotary Foundation Grant

Galveston Rotary Foundation Secretary-Treasurer, Kristen Carlson, announced the recipients of the following grants recently awarded by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees: The Galveston Arts Center; Galveston County Club House; Galveston County Food Bank; Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council (GINTC); The Grand 1894 Opera House; UTMB – Grace Mobility Clinic; and, Arts Downtown GTX.

This week we congratulated the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council. Their grant will be used for their 2026 Winter Nature Program designed for WinterTexans, but also open to year-round residents. The program includes several events and activities, including guided nature tours, expert lectures, and immersive outdoor experiences, showcasing Galveston’s natural assets while educating the public about conservation. This grant fits in the Environment Area of Focus for Rotary.

From left, Katelin Stroman, Program Manager, Galveston Rotary Foundation Secretary-Treasurer Kristen Carlson, and Executive Director, Eowyn Johnson

Welcome new members in October

Congratulations to our newest members! Clarissa Woodward – introduced to the Club on Wednesday, Oct. 15^th and Henry Dalehite introduced on Oct. 22nd, along with a welcome to our returning members Eric Van Kuijk and Virginia Brooke, back in Galveston after many years in Minneapolis!

Sponsor Mari Berend with new member Clarissa Woodward and President Kathy VanDewalli.

Sponsor Mary Brechtel with new member Henry Dalehite and President Kathy VanDewalli.

Returning members Virginia Brooke and Eric Van Kuijk with President Kathy VanDewalli.

Our newest Paul Harris Society member

Congratulations to Bud Kulesza! Bud was introduced this week as our Club’s newest member of The Paul Harris Society. The Paul Harris Society is comprised of individuals who pledge to annually contribute $1,000 or more to the Permanent Fund, Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Rotary Foundation grant. Past President, and Chair of District 5910 Paul Harris Society Barbara Winburn introduced Bud Kulesza as the newest member of The Paul Harris Society.

Welcome to New Members

Welcome to our newest club members! Pictured (l to r) are new members Margie Kusnerik, John VanDewalli, and Rhona Slingerland with 5910 District Governor Charley Gilliland, and new members Mary White, and Mike Dudas and club President Kathy VanDewalli. These 5 new members were introduced at our September 10, 2025 meeting. Welcome!

Clubs of Excellence!

Rotary Club of Galveston past-president Barbara Winburn accepted the Club Excellence Award for the 2024-25 Rotary Year for our club! Barbara led the club in achieving 21 out of the 22 goals set by Rotary International! We are Excellence in action! Shown pictured (l to r) are Barbara Winburn and current club President Kathy VanDewalli.

Hailey Brechtel, past-president of the Galveston Interact Club, accepts the 2024-25 Club Excellence Award from Rotary Club of Galveston president Kathy VanDewalli. The Club Excellence Award recognizes clubs that support Rotary's Action Plan by completing activities that help increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt.

Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS!

This week we celebrated Gary Peters 30-year anniversary as a Rotarian! We presented Gary with a certificate and a special Rotary Coin as a memento. Congratulations Gary!

Join and/or Donate to Rovin' Rotarians Team

Please consider joining the Rovin' Rotarians' Team that will be walking in the Walk to End Alzheimer's event on Saturday, October 18th. If you can't join us for the walk, please consider donating to support our team as we continue to raise critical funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

Rotarians at Work! - Share Your School Supplies Drive

Rotary Club of Galveston members Pat Bumpus, Mark Stasney, Don Davison, club president Kathy VanDewalli, John VanDewalli and Gina Spagnola dropped off supplies and monetary donations to the ABC Channel 13 and GISD Share Your School Supplies event on Friday, August 8, 2025.

2025 Scholarship Recipients Announced

Scholarship Committee representatives June Pulliam and Don Davison introduced out 2025 Scholarship Recipients Kalei Crawford, Isabella Gomez, and Hogan Lanier and Ruby Gundrum (Ruby not present at the meeting). Those present read their application essays on “The Rotary 4-Way Test.” All thoughtfully prepared and very inspiring to members to remember just how impactful the 4-Way Test is on our lives, and the lives of our young people. Special shout-out to the parents of these students for supporting their education efforts.

Pictured: Club President Kathy VanDewalli, scholarship recipient Kalei Crawford and Kalei’s mom, Ebony Crawford

Pictured: Club President Kathy VanDewalli, scholarship recipient Isabella Gomez, her mother Roseanna Gomez, and Odyssey Academy Superintedent Jennifer Goodwin

Pictured: Club President Kathy VanDewalli, scholarship recipient Hogan Lanier and his mother Jenny Lanier

Paul Harris Fellow Giving

Gary Peters was announced as a PHF+8, and Denise DeVries as a PHF+1 at the club's July 16th meeting. Denise was surprised by the gift of her PHF+1 from her husband Richard DeVries. Thanks to both Gary and Denise (and Richard) for their support of Rotary! Pictured her (left to right), Gary Peters, club president Kathy VanDewalli and Denise DeVries.

New Member Introduced

Ruth Suhler introduced our newest club member, Lori Blackwell; and presented Lori with her red badge and new member packet. Lori is a Growth Specialist at UTMB, a longtime Galvestonian who volunteers with Meals on Wheels and served as the co-chair of UTMB’s Veteran’s Resources.

Lori is eager to dive into Service Above Self as a Rotarian! Welcome, Lori!

e-Interact Club celebrates July 4th!

The Galveston Interact Club members had a great time riding in the City of Galveston's 4th of July parade!

2025 Honorary Paul Harris Fellow

Joseph Hugger (left) was recently awarded an honorary Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his service to the Rotary Club of Galveston. Pictured with Hugger is Club President Barbara Winburn.

2025-26 Rotary Officers & Board Installed

The Rotary Club of Galveston held its annual change of leadership meeting on June 18 at Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant in downtown Galveston with the installation of the new president, executive team and board of directors. Pictured (front row, left to right): Kathy VanDewalli, president; Barbara Winburn, past-president; Susan Syler and (seated) Stephan Duncan, seargent-at-arms. (Back row, left to right): Jennifer Kelso, Treasurer; Lauren Suderman Millo, president-elect; Chris Homer, president-nominee; Mari Berend, Ruth Suhler, Secretary; Joseph Hugger, Randall Robinson, Lodie Massey, Jay Sims, Don Davison and Barbara Sanderson. Directors not pictured: Susannah Brown and Judy Johnson.

New Rotarians Installed

New members installed at the Rotary Club of Galveston’s July 9 meeting. Pictured (left to right): Kathy VanDewalli, president, Rotary Club of Galveston; Leonard Woolsey, publisher of The Galveston County Daily News and president of Southern Newspapers Inc.; newly installed Rotarians Jeana Watts, Michelle Robinson, general manager and chief revenue officer of The Galveston County Daily News; Teagen Tappe Bradley, Lisa Quiroga-Burus and member sponsors Randy Klibert and Mari Berend.

Rotary Global Grant Scholar Recognized.

Leonard Wang, 3rd year MD/PhD student at UTMB, was introduced as the recipient of Rotary International's Global Grant Scholarship which he will use to obtain his MBA at Cambridge University in the UK. Wang is currently completing a Master of Science degree in Health & Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK, which was funded by a Fulbright scholarship. Pictured from left to right includes Barbara Winburn, Club President, Wang, and Ulli Budelmann, PDG.

ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

Club members Mark Stasney and Karla Klay presented the Environmentalist of the Year Award to Kyle O'Haver, Superintendent of Galveston State Park. Also pictured is Park Manager, Brenna Ceron. Congratulations Kyle!

Foundation Grant Awarded to Artist Boat

Club President and Foundation Trustee, Barbara Winburn, presented a $2,500 grant to Artist Boat for the purchase of kayak supplies. Accepting the grant were Karla Klay, Executive Director, and Artist Boat Board member, Nancy Greenfield.

Born Learning Trail Completed

In partnership with United Way Galveston, the Rotary Club of Galveston installed a Born Learning Trail at Austin Elementary School on February 9, 2025. The Trail consists of 10 interactive signs printed in both English and Spanish along with colorful artwork painted on the sidewalks and adjoining walls.

Rotarian Honored with Roll of Fame Award

Mary Brechtel (left) was recently inducted into the Rotary District 5910 Roll of Fame for her distinguished service to Rotary. Club President, Barbara Winburn, (right) presented Brechtel with the award.

Tides of March Service Project

TIDES OF MARCH PROJECT SUCCESS!

Six members, one Interactor, and a Friend of Rotary (spouse) teamed up at Artist Boat to transplant an estimated 750-800 pollinator and companion grass seedlings from starter trays to 8-inch pots where they will grow into mature plants ready for planting in the coastal preserve. Thank you volunteers and especially Mark Stasney for coordinating this fun and rewarding project!

Club members recognized for their generosity.

Rotary Club of Galveston members (from left) Judy Johnson, Suzanne Sansom, and Richard DeVries were recognized for their continued support of Rotary International programs by receiving upgraded Paul Harris Fellow pins. They are pictured with Club President Barbara Winburn (second from right).

Club welcomes new members.

President Barbara Winburn (right) welcomed new Rotary Club of Galveston members Jon Langford (left) of Homewell Care and Monique Batson (center) of the Galveston Daily News.

Please donate to the Club's Virtual Red Kettle

The Rotary Club of Galveston will be supporting the Salvation Army by participating in their annual Red Kettle Fundraiser. Rotarians and friends will be ringing the bell for donations on December 14 from 10am to 6pm at Walmart and Kroger on Galveston Island. If you can't make it out to one of these locations, please consider donating to the Club's Virtual Red Kettle. The deadline to donate is December 24th.